I'm making a stone hewn altar for a friend of mine, I'm going to give it to him as a present. He's a Heathen too, but I have no idea if he is dedicated to a specific god or not.
I imagine he would still like to have his altar decorated, but I was wondering - would it be okay if I carve certain attributs of the Gods on it? (like ravens for Odin, hammer for Thor, a boar for Frey...)
If yes, what would some typical attributes for other Gods/Goddesses be?
2007-12-06 05:28:49 · 12 answers · asked by Ymmo the Heathen 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm asking specifically about Norse Gods and Goddesses.
2007-12-06 05:38:54 · update #1
For example, symbols that I could use to mean Tyr, Njord, Heimdall, Frigg, Freya... etc.
2007-12-06 05:59:32 · update #2
Oh dear. Now you really really got me. I got SO many FANTASTIC answers that I can't pick one. It's a six-way tie, impossible. All you Heathens rule, I love you people!
But I'll have to leave this answer up for voting. Sorry, can't decide! :D
Thank you!
2007-12-08 10:28:45 · update #3
IF you are unable to find out which (if any) deitty a person is particularly deidcated to a more general design will work fine. As for associations for other deity symbols...these are fairly common in use...
Tyr - Sword
Freyja - Necklace
Heimdall - Sounding Horn
Njord - A ship
Frigg - A drip spindle or distaff
Idunn - Apples
Baldr - Ironically mistletoe
Sif - a stalk or sheaf of grain
Ullr - Bow and arrows or Skis
Loki - Fire or flame, also the salmon, or otter
Also at least one full set of Runes should be present somewhere on any alter along with traditional knotowork designs.
There are also a few general purpose symbols. The Dragon's eye and the Aegishjalmr (Helm of Awe) are some common symbols that can be used. For a private it is not uncommon to see at least one flyfoot (swastika, a solar symbol) somwhere upon it, although because of recent history many of us STILL shy away from its use public OR private.
2007-12-07 08:59:57 · answer #1 · answered by kveldulf_gondlir 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The entire futhark would be good. Ravens for Odin (instead of the Valknot), the hammer and boar are excellent choices. For Freya - a cat's paw or a necklace of amber perhaps. A horn for Heimdallr. Sword or spear for Tyr. Antlers for Freyr (he fights with antlers at Ragnarok). The World Tree is a wonderful suggestion. A distaff (a weaving tool) is good for Frigga. Apples for Sif.
Hope that helps and it's a wonderful gifting.
2007-12-06 14:27:35 · answer #2 · answered by Aravah 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In the absence of a known fultrui oath, or personal bindrune, a Thorshammer is the most appropriate symbol---universally accepted, honored, and understood by heathens (dedicated to Thor or not) and used in Elder times to hallow and consecrate (as when the blacksmith's hammer was placed in the bride's lap during weddings).
I think it's inappropriate to try to be all-inclusive or do too much . . . at Uppsala, Odin, Thor and Freyr were honored collectively, so your initial list of three has historical precedent. Good to know when to stop! *G*
2007-12-06 20:11:10 · answer #3 · answered by Boar's Heart 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is very lucky to have a friend like you!
Aside from Ravens, a Hammer and a Boar, you could do an Irminsul (World Tree), a Sun Wheel (Sun, Moon and Havens), and a Heart (Freyja).
You may also consider a triple Fehu rune, where the ends are touching, so that it looks like a three-legged wheel, or a triskel. A triple Fehu is both triple prosperity and 'faith, folk, family'.
... Yngona
2007-12-06 13:48:58 · answer #4 · answered by Yngona D 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I do believe it would. Even if your friend has dedicated himself to a single deity in our pantheon, he will most likely not exclude the other ones from his worship since they all "work" so well together. Worse comes to worse, just tell him you can him a weekly calendar *giggles* Thor's Day, Woden's Day, Tiwaz's Day, etc lol :)
Falcon for Freya, I'd addYggdrasil, apples and basket, weath, (not sure what it would be for Skadhi but skies come to mind? And it is sooo appropriate atm, especially when I look outside my window lol), runes, cauldron, horn.
Your friend is lucky :)
2007-12-07 06:48:05 · answer #5 · answered by MC 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Boar. Keep it simple and universal or start a nice debate and see what your friend tells you. You could ask him if he's dedicated I suppose.
But I'm one of those who think less is more. I don't like lots of stuff of my stuff. Even my home is all clean lines and black and white photography, so that's also a personal choice.
2007-12-07 07:44:07 · answer #6 · answered by ~Heathen Princess~ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure that'd be fine. If he's not aligned with those gods, he'll just purify it. Regardless of the pantheon, the intention is great. There are many gods, with many attributes.
2007-12-06 13:44:00 · answer #7 · answered by Darth Scorn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our new kindred horn is similar in that it depicts images associated with many deities:
spear, hammer, longship, boar, apples, brewing kettle, golden hair & wheat (Sif), runes...
Some other images that would work would be snow shoes or skis and hunting bow (Skadhi, Ullr), oath ring, axe...
2007-12-07 16:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by Mike H. 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's not an symbol for a god as far as i know, but what about using a gifu [or gebo] rune? i'm a member of a healing circle called gifu clan, and we use it to signify health as well as its more literal meaning of partnership.
2007-12-06 14:14:59 · answer #9 · answered by bad tim 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Toss in a Green Man for me.
2007-12-06 13:32:11 · answer #10 · answered by Emily of Orleans 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋